of the United States. 407 



rounded, slightly curved at the point, edges obliquely serra- 

 ted : nostrils in the furrows, basal, linear, much elongated , 

 hardly distinguishable : tongue very short, oval : gape wide. 

 Head rather small ; eyes rather large ; lores and orbits 

 naked, pouch small ; neck rather short and robust ; body 

 rather large. Feet short, robust, drawn up into the belly ; 

 tarsi naked, one third shorter than the outer toe, rounded be- 

 fore, carinated behind ; outer toe somewhat longest, bor- 

 dered exteriorly by a small membrane ; hind toe one third the 

 length of the outer; connecting membrane broad, full entire ; 

 nails moderate, curved, rather acute ; middle serrated on its 

 inner edge ; hind nail merely rudimental, rounded, not pro- 

 jecting beyond the toe. Wings long, acute, tuberculated ; 

 first and second primaries longest. Tail cuneiform, of 

 twelve rigid feathers. 



Female similar to the male, smaller. Young very differ- 

 ent from the adult, and changing repeatedly for several years, 

 even increasing in size. Moult annually. Plumage thick 

 and close. Colors white or dusky. 



Cowardly and stupid to excess : though strong and well 

 armed, neither resist or try to escape danger : suffer them- 

 selves to be taken or killed, and permit the Frigate or Les- 

 tris, to deprive them of their prey, disgorging when hard 

 pushed what they have swallowed. Live on rocks near 

 the sea, constantly flying about, usually not far from the 

 shore, though not certain indications of land. Fly with the 

 neck stretched out, and the tail spread. Hardly ever swim, 

 never dive. Walk awkwardly, standing erect, and supported 

 by their rigid tail : cannot take a start from the ground, 

 hence alight on elevated points. Fish by hovering with still, 

 expanded wings, falling on their prey while at the surface of 

 the water. Resort in great numbers to desert islands, where 

 they breed in society. Build on trees, rocks, or even on 

 the ground ; eggs one, or two at most. Young for a long 

 time covered with very soft, pure, white down. 



